Scope and Content

These folders primarily contain materials relating to Hale's work at both Encore Magazine and The Establishment Club. They also contain materials relating to his work as Company Manager for Theatre Workshop during their European tour of Oh! What a Lovely War, his work on a London production of A Lily in Little India, his extensive research on the life of British theatre critic Kenneth Tynan, his time at the Studio Theatre, Scarborough and various personal correspondence and ephemera items.

Administrative / Biographical History

Owen Hale, born in 1920 began his theatrical career after serving in the RAF during the Second World War. While in the Treasury department of Hampstead Borough Council he directed three plays for Nalgo (National and Local Government Officers Association) members, after which he left to work as both an actor and a stage manager at the Hampstead Repertory Theatre.

The early 1960s saw Owen become the stage manager for Peter Cook's comedy club The Establishment for four years, following which he worked as company manager for Theatre Workshop's 1964-1965 European tour of Oh! What a Lovely War.

From 1966 to 1975 Hale was publicity manager for a number of theatres in Nottingham, Leicester and Lancaster and at the Thorndike Theatre in Leatherhead from 1975 to 1985. He was also a director of the Studio Theatre, Scarborough and was a colleague of Stephen Joseph.

Encore Magazine was launched in 1957 with Hale as business manager and patron. He worked there until its closure in 1965 and was co-author of the subsequent Encore Reader.